Zoom lens and imaging apparatus

ABSTRACT

A zoom lens is constituted by, in order from the object side: a positive first lens group; a negative second lens group; a positive third lens group; a positive fourth lens group; a negative fifth lens group, and a positive sixth lens group. The distances among adjacent lens groups change when changing magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end. The first lens group is constituted by, in order from the object side, a negative lens, a positive lens, and a positive lens. The third lens group has a positive lens at the most object side thereof. A predetermined conditional formula is satisfied.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.16/161,639 filed Oct. 16, 2018, which is a Divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/268,858 filed Sep. 19, 2016 and claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-189933filed on Sep. 28, 2015. The above application is hereby expresslyincorporated by reference, in its entirety, into the presentapplication.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is related to a zoom lens which is particularlyfavorably suited for use in digital cameras, interchangeable lensdigital cameras, and cinematic cameras. The present disclosure is alsorelated to an imaging apparatus equipped with the zoom lens.

Zoom lenses use in digital cameras, interchangeable lens digitalcameras, and cinematic cameras are known, as disclosed in JapaneseUnexamined Patent Publication Nos. 2012-053444, 2014-209144, and S60(1985)-222814.

SUMMARY

Recently, the number of pixels in digital cameras, interchangeable lensdigital cameras, and cinematic cameras is increasing. Therefore, thereis demand for a high performance lens, which is compatible with theincreased number of pixels, and that favorably corrects variousaberrations, as a zoom lens to be employed in these cameras. However, itcannot be said that the zoom lenses of Japanese Unexamined PatentPublication Nos. 2012-053444, 2014-209144, and S60 (1985)-222814 havesufficient performance with respect to correcting various aberrations.

The present disclosure has been developed in view of the foregoingcircumstances. The present disclosure provides a zoom lens whichfavorably corrects various aberrations. The present disclosure alsoprovides an imaging apparatus equipped with such a zoom lens.

A first zoom lens of the present disclosure consists of, in order fromthe object side to the image side:

a first lens group having a positive refractive power;

a second lens group having a negative refractive power;

a third lens group having a positive refractive power;

a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power;

a fifth lens group having a negative refractive power; and

a sixth lens group having a positive refractive power;

the first lens group moving toward the object side, the distance betweenthe first lens group and the second lens group increasing, the distancebetween the second lens group and the third lens group decreasing, thedistance between the third lens group and the fourth lens groupchanging, the distance between the fourth lens group and the fifth lensgroup changing, and the distance between the fifth lens group and thesixth lens group changing, when changing magnification from the wideangle end to the telephoto end;

the first lens group consisting of, in order from the object side to theimage side, a negative 1A lens, a positive 1B lens, and a positive 1Clens;

the third lens group having a 3-A positive lens most toward the objectside therein; and

Conditional Formula (1) below being satisfied:

39<νd1A<50  (1)

wherein νd1A is the Abbe's number with respect to the d line of the 1Anegative lens.

Note that it is more preferable for Conditional Formula (1-1) below tobe satisfied.

41<νd1A<48  (1-1)

In the zoom lens of the present disclosure, it is preferable for thethird lens group to have at least three positive lenses.

In addition, it is preferable for Conditional Formula (2) below to besatisfied. Note that it is more preferable for Conditional Formula (2-1)below to be satisfied.

50<νd3ave<70  (2)

55<νd3ave<65  (2-1)

wherein νd3ave is the average Abbe's number with respect to the d lineof the positive lenses within the third lens group.

In addition, it is preferable for Conditional Formula (3) below to besatisfied. Note that it is more preferable for Conditional Formula (3-1)below to be satisfied.

0.6<f3A/f3<1.9  (3)

0.8<f3A/f3<1.7  (3-1)

wherein f3A is the paraxial focal length with respect to the d line ofthe 3A positive lens, and f3 is the paraxial focal length with respectto the d line of the third lens group.

In addition, it is preferable for the third lens group to have a 3Acemented lens, in which a positive lens and a negative lens provided inthis order from the object side to the image side are cemented together,positioned at the image side of the 3A positive lens, and forConditional Formula (4) below to be satisfied. Note that it is morepreferable for Conditional Formula (4-1) below to be satisfied. However,in the case that a plurality of such cemented lenses are included in thethird lens group, the cemented lens closest to the 3A positive lens inthe direction of the optical axis will be designated as the 3A cementedlens.

−1.3<f3/fC3A<0  (4)

—1.1<f3/fC3A<0  (4-1)

wherein f3 is the paraxial focal length with respect to the d line ofthe third lens group, and fC3A is the paraxial focal length with respectto the d line of the 3A cemented lens.

In addition, it is preferable for a stop to be positioned adjacent tothe third lens group toward the image side thereof, and for the stop tomove integrally with the third lens group when changing magnification.

In addition, it is preferable for Conditional Formula (5) below to besatisfied. Note that it is more preferable for Conditional Formula (5-1)below to be satisfied.

0.17<f3/f1<0.35  (5)

0.22<f3/f1<0.3  (5-1)

wherein f3 is the paraxial focal length with respect to the d line ofthe third lens group, and f1 is the paraxial focal length with respectto the d line of the first lens group.

In addition, it is preferable for Conditional Formula (6) below to besatisfied. Note that it is more preferable for Conditional Formula (6-1)below to be satisfied.

0.3<X3/X1<0.8  (6)

0.35<X3/X1<0.7  (6-1)

wherein X3 is the amount of displacement of the third lens group whenchanging magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, andX1 is the amount of displacement of the first lens group when changingmagnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end.

Here, the “amount of displacement” refers to the length of thedifference of the position of each lens group at the wide angle end andthe position of each lens group at the telephoto end.

In addition, it is preferable for Conditional Formula (7) below to besatisfied. Note that it is more preferable for Conditional Formula (7-1)below to be satisfied.

0.1<D56w/D56t<0.3  (7)

0.15<D56w/D56t<0.25  (7-1)

wherein D56w is the distance along the optical axis from the apex of thesurface most toward the image side within the fifth lens group to theapex of the surface most toward the object side within the sixth lensgroup at the wide angle end, and D56t is the distance along the opticalaxis from the apex of the surface most toward the image side within thefifth lens group to the apex of the surface most toward the object sidewithin the sixth lens group at the telephoto end.

In addition, it is preferable for the sixth lens group to consist of apositive 6A lens.

A second zoom lens of the present disclosure consists of, in order fromthe object side to the image side:

a first lens group having a positive refractive power;

a second lens group having a negative refractive power;

a third lens group having a positive refractive power;

a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power;

a fifth lens group having a negative refractive power; and

a sixth lens group having a positive refractive power;

the first lens group moving toward the object side, the distance betweenthe first lens group and the second lens group increasing, the distancebetween the second lens group and the third lens group decreasing, thedistance between the third lens group and the fourth lens groupchanging, the distance between the fourth lens group and the fifth lensgroup changing, and the distance between the fifth lens group and thesixth lens group changing, when changing magnification from the wideangle end to the telephoto end;

the first lens group consisting of, in order from the object side to theimage side, a negative 1A lens, a positive 1B lens, and a positive 1Clens; and

Conditional Formula (1-2) below being satisfied:

39<νd1A<45  (1-2)

wherein νd1A is the Abbe's number with respect to the d line of the 1Anegative lens.

An imaging apparatus of the present disclosure is equipped with a zoomlens of the present disclosure described above.

Note that the expression “consists of” means that the zoom lens of thepresent disclosure may also include lenses that practically have nopower, optical elements other than lenses such as a stop, a mask, acover glass, and filters, and mechanical components such as lensflanges, a lens barrel, an imaging element, a camera shake correctingmechanism, etc., in addition to the constituent elements listed above.

In addition, the surface shapes of lenses as well as the signs of therefractive powers of lenses are those which are considered in theparaxial region for lenses that include aspherical surfaces.

The first zoom lens of the present disclosure consists of, in order fromthe object side to the image side: the first lens group having apositive refractive power; the second lens group having a negativerefractive power; the third lens group having a positive refractivepower; the fourth lens group having a positive refractive power; thefifth lens group having a negative refractive power; and the sixth lensgroup having a positive refractive power. The first lens group movestoward the object side, the distance between the first lens group andthe second lens group increases, the distance between the second lensgroup and the third lens group decreases, the distance between the thirdlens group and the fourth lens group changes, the distance between thefourth lens group and the fifth lens group changes, and the distancebetween the fifth lens group and the sixth lens group changes, whenchanging magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end. Thefirst lens group consists of, in order from the object side to the imageside, a negative 1A lens, a positive 1B lens, and a positive 1C lens.The third lens group has a 3-A positive lens most toward the object sidetherein. In addition, Conditional Formula (1) below is satisfied.Therefore, it is possible for the zoom lens to be that which favorablycorrects various aberrations.

39<νd1A<50  (1)

The second zoom lens of the present disclosure consists of, in orderfrom the object side to the image side: the first lens group having apositive refractive power; the second lens group having a negativerefractive power; the third lens group having a positive refractivepower; the fourth lens group having a positive refractive power; thefifth lens group having a negative refractive power; and the sixth lensgroup having a positive refractive power. The first lens group movestoward the object side, the distance between the first lens group andthe second lens group increases, the distance between the second lensgroup and the third lens group decreases, the distance between the thirdlens group and the fourth lens group changes, the distance between thefourth lens group and the fifth lens group changes, and the distancebetween the fifth lens group and the sixth lens group changes, whenchanging magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end. Thefirst lens group consists of, in order from the object side to the imageside, a negative 1A lens, a positive 1B lens, and a positive 1C lens. Inaddition, Conditional Formula (1-2) below is satisfied. Therefore, it ispossible for the zoom lens to be that which favorably corrects variousaberrations.

39<νd1A<45  (1-2)

The imaging apparatus of the present disclosure is equipped with thezoom lens of the present disclosure. Therefore, the imaging apparatuscan obtain images having high image quality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a collection of sectional diagrams that illustrate a firstexample of the configuration of a zoom lens according to an embodimentof the present disclosure (which is common with Example 1).

FIG. 2 is a collection of sectional diagrams that illustrate theconfiguration of a zoom lens according to Example 2.

FIG. 3 is a collection of sectional diagrams that illustrate theconfiguration of a zoom lens according to Example 3.

FIG. 4 is a collection of sectional diagrams that illustrate theconfiguration of a zoom lens according to Example 4.

FIG. 5 is a collection of sectional diagrams that illustrate theconfiguration of a zoom lens according to Example 5.

FIG. 6 is a collection of sectional diagrams that illustrate theconfiguration of a zoom lens according to Example 6.

FIG. 7 is a collection of sectional diagrams that illustrate theconfiguration of a zoom lens according to Example 7.

FIG. 8 is a collection of sectional diagrams that illustrate theconfiguration of a zoom lens according to Example 8.

FIG. 9 is a collection of diagrams that illustrate aberrations of thezoom lens of Example 1.

FIG. 10 is a collection of diagrams that illustrate aberrations of thezoom lens of Example 2.

FIG. 11 is a collection of diagrams that illustrate aberrations of thezoom lens of Example 3.

FIG. 12 is a collection of diagrams that illustrate aberrations of thezoom lens of Example 4.

FIG. 13 is a collection of diagrams that illustrate aberrations of thezoom lens of Example 5.

FIG. 14 is a collection of diagrams that illustrate aberrations of thezoom lens of Example 6.

FIG. 15 is a collection of diagrams that illustrate aberrations of thezoom lens of Example 7.

FIG. 16 is a collection of diagrams that illustrate aberrations of thezoom lens of Example 8.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view that illustrates the front side of animaging apparatus as an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view that illustrates the rear side of theimaging apparatus illustrated in FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a collectionof sectional diagrams that illustrate the configuration of a zoom lensaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The example of theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 1 is the same as the configuration ofa zoom lens of Example 1 to be described later. In FIG. 1, the left sideis the object side and the right side is the image side. The aperturestop St illustrated in FIG. 1 does not necessarily represent the size orshape thereof, but the position of the aperture stop St along an opticalaxis Z. In addition, FIG. 1 illustrates an axial light beam wa and alight beam wb at a maximum angle of view.

First, a zoom lens of a first embodiment will be described. The zoomlens of the first embodiment corresponds to Examples 1 through 8 to bedescribed later. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the zoom lens of the firstembodiment is constituted by, in order from the object side to the imageside: a first lens group G1 having a positive refractive power, a secondlens group G2 having a negative refractive power, a third lens group G3having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having apositive refractive power, a fifth lens group G5 having a negativerefractive power, and a sixth lens group G6 having a positive refractivepower.

When this zoom lens is applied to an imaging apparatus, it is preferablefor a cover glass, a prism, and various filters, such as an infraredcutoff filter and a low pass filter, to be provided between the opticalsystem and an imaging surface Sim, depending on the configuration of thecamera to which the lens is mounted. Therefore, FIG. 1 illustrates anexample in which a plane parallel plate shaped optical member PP thatpresumes the presence of such components is provided between the lenssystem and the imaging surface Sim.

This zoom lens is configured such that the first lens group G1constantly moves toward the object side, the distance between the firstlens group G1 and the second lens group G2 constantly increases, thedistance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3constantly decreases, the distance between the third lens group G3 andthe fourth lens group G4 constantly changes, the distance between thefourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens G5 group constantly changes, andthe distance between the fifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens group G6constantly changes, when changing magnification from the wide angle endto the telephoto end. Note that all of the lens groups from among thefirst lens group G1 through the sixth lens group G6 may move, or only aportion of the lens groups may move, when changing magnification.

Adopting such a configuration is advantageous from the viewpoint ofshortening the total length of the lens system. The advantageous effectsof securing telecentric properties and shortening the total length ofthe lens system become particularly prominent in the case that the zoomlens is applied to a non reflex (so called mirrorless) type camera, inwhich back focus is short.

The first lens group G1 is constituted by, in order from the object sideto the image side, a negative 1A lens L1A, a positive 1B lens L1B, and apositive 1C lens L1C. Adopting such a configuration is advantageous fromthe viewpoint of shortening the total length of the lens system. Inaddition, the negative 1A lens L1A bears the function of correctinglongitudinal chromatic aberration, lateral chromatic aberration, andspherical aberration. In addition, providing the two positive lenses,which are the positive 1B lens L1B and the positive 1C lens L1C, enablesthe generation of spherical aberration to be suppressed while securingthe positive refractive power of the first lens group G1 and shorteningthe total length of the lens system.

The second lens group G2 principally bears the function of changingmagnification.

The third lens group G3 has a positive 3A lens L3A at the most objectside thereof. The third lens group G3 principally bears the positiverefractive power of the entire lens system. Here, the positive 3A lensL3A exhibits the advantageous effect of decreasing the diameters oflenses which are positioned more toward the image side than the thirdlens group G3.

The fourth lens group G4 distributes positive refractive power with thethird lens group G3, and bears the functions of suppressing thegeneration of spherical aberration, and suppressing fluctuations inspherical aberrations while changing magnification.

The fifth lens group G5 bears the function of correcting fluctuations inastigmatism while changing magnification.

The sixth lens group G6 bears the function of decreasing the incidentangles of light rays at peripheral angles of view that enter an imageformation plane Sim.

Further, the zoom lens is configured such that Conditional Formula (1)below is satisfied. Configuring the zoom lens such that the value ofνd₁A is not less than or equal to the lower limit defined in ConditionalFormula (1) is advantageous from the viewpoint of correctinglongitudinal chromatic aberration close to the blue side toward thetelephoto end. In addition, configuring the zoom lens such that thevalue of νd₁A is not greater than or equal to the upper limit defined inConditional Formula (1) is advantageous from the viewpoint of correctinglateral chromatic aberration toward the wide angle end. Note that morefavorable properties can be obtained in the case that ConditionalFormula (1-1) below is satisfied.

39<νd ₁ A<50  (1)

41<νd ₁ A<48  (1-1)

wherein νd₁A is the Abbe's number with respect to the d line of the 1Anegative lens.

In the zoom lens of the present disclosure, it is preferable for thethird lens group to have at least three positive lenses. Adopting such aconfiguration is advantageous from the viewpoint of suppressinglongitudinal chromatic aberration and spherical aberration.

In addition, it is preferable for Conditional Formula (2) below to besatisfied. Configuring the zoom lens such that the value of νd3ave isnot less than or equal to the lower limit defined in Conditional Formula(2) is advantageous from the viewpoint of correcting longitudinalchromatic aberration. In addition, there is a tendency for therefractive index to decrease as the Abbe's number increases. Therefore,it is necessary to secure refractive power by decreasing the curvaturesof lenses. For this reason, configuring the zoom lens such that thevalue of νd3ave is not greater than or equal to the upper limit definedin Conditional Formula (2) is advantageous from the viewpoint ofpreventing the lenses from becoming excessively large. Note that morefavorable properties can be obtained in the case that ConditionalFormula (2-1) below is satisfied.

50<νd3ave<70  (2)

55<νd3ave<65  (2-1)

wherein νd3ave is the average Abbe's number with respect to the d lineof the positive lenses within the third lens group.

In addition, it is preferable for Conditional Formula (3) below to besatisfied. Configuring the zoom lens such that the value of f3A/f3 isnot less than or equal to the lower limit defined in Conditional Formula(3) is advantageous from the viewpoint of correcting sphericalaberration. In addition, configuring the zoom lens such that the valueof f3A/f3 is not greater than or equal to the upper limit defined inConditional Formula (3) is advantageous from the viewpoints ofdecreasing the diameter of the lens and decreasing the F number. Notethat more favorable properties can be obtained in the case thatConditional Formula (3-1) below is satisfied.

0.6<f3A/f3<1.9  (3)

0.8<f3A/f3<1.7  (3-1)

wherein f3A is the paraxial focal length with respect to the d line ofthe 3A positive lens, and f3 is the paraxial focal length with respectto the d line of the third lens group.

In addition, it is preferable for the third lens group G3 to have a 3Acemented lens (in FIG. 1, the cemented lens constituted by the lens L3Band the lens L3C), in which a positive lens and a negative lens providedin this order from the object side to the image side are cementedtogether, positioned at the image side of the 3A positive lens L3A, andfor Conditional Formula (4) below to be satisfied. The generation ofspherical aberration can be suppressed, while longitudinal chromaticaberration can be corrected, by providing the 3A cemented lens in thismanner. Configuring the zoom lens such that the value of f3/f3CA is notless than or equal to the lower limit defined in Conditional Formula (4)is advantageous from the viewpoint of suppressing the generation ofspherical aberration. In addition, configuring the zoom lens such thatthe value of f3/f3CA is not greater than or equal to the upper limitdefined in Conditional Formula (4) is advantageous from the viewpoint ofcorrecting longitudinal chromatic aberration. Note that more favorableproperties can be obtained in the case that Conditional Formula (4-1)below is satisfied.

−1.3<f3/fC3A<0  (4)

−1.1<f3/fC3A<0  (4-1)

wherein f3 is the paraxial focal length with respect to the d line ofthe third lens group, and fC3A is the paraxial focal length with respectto the d line of the 3A cemented lens.

In addition, it is preferable for an aperture stop St to be positionedadjacent to the third lens group G3 toward the image side thereof, andfor the aperture stop St to move integrally with the third lens group G3when changing magnification. Positioning the aperture stop St at theimage side of the third lens group G3 in this manner is advantageousfrom the viewpoint of miniaturizing a stop unit.

In addition, it is preferable for Conditional Formula (5) below to besatisfied. Configuring the zoom lens such that the value of f3/f1 is notless than or equal to the lower limit defined in Conditional Formula (5)is advantageous from the viewpoint of suppressing the generation ofspherical aberration. In addition, configuring the zoom lens such thatthe value of f3/f1 is not greater than or equal to the upper limitdefined in Conditional Formula (5) is advantageous from the viewpointsof miniaturizing the lens system and shortening the total lengththereof. Note that more favorable properties can be obtained in the casethat Conditional Formula (5-1) below is satisfied.

0.17<f3/f1<0.35  (5)

0.22<f3/f1<0.3  (5-1)

wherein f3 is the paraxial focal length with respect to the d line ofthe third lens group, and f1 is the paraxial focal length with respectto the d line of the first lens group.

In addition, it is preferable for Conditional Formula (6) below to besatisfied. Configuring the zoom lens such that the value of X3/X1 is notless than or equal to the lower limit defined in Conditional Formula (6)is advantageous from the viewpoint of shortening the total length of thelens system. In addition, configuring the zoom lens such that the valueof X3/X1 is not greater than or equal to the upper limit defined inConditional Formula (6) is advantageous from the viewpoints ofsuppressing spherical aberration and decreasing the F number. Note thatmore favorable properties can be obtained in the case that ConditionalFormula (6-1) below is satisfied.

0.3<X3/X1<0.8  (6)

0.35<X3/X1<0.7  (6-1)

wherein X3 is the amount of displacement of the third lens group whenchanging magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, andX1 is the amount of displacement of the first lens group when changingmagnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end.

In addition, it is preferable for Conditional Formula (7) below to besatisfied. Configuring the zoom lens such that the value of D56w/D56t isnot less than the lower limit defined in Conditional Formula (7) isadvantageous from the viewpoint of shortening the total length of thelens system at the telephoto end. In addition, configuring the zoom lenssuch that the value of D56w/D56t is not less than the lower limitdefined in Conditional Formula (7) is advantageous from the viewpointprevents the refractive power of the fifth lens group G5 from becomingexcessively strong, which is advantageous from the viewpoints ofsuppressing astigmatism, preventing the diameter of lenses within thesixth lens group G6 from increasing, and suppressing adverse influencefrom being imparted on shading due to changes in incident angles oflight rays into the image formation plane Sim becoming of opposite signsat the wide angle end and at the telephoto end. Note that more favorableproperties can be obtained in the case that Conditional Formula (7-1)below is satisfied.

0.1<D56w/D56t<0.3  (7)

0.15<D56w/D56t<0.25  (7-1)

wherein D56w is the distance along the optical axis from the apex of thesurface most toward the image side within the fifth lens group to theapex of the surface most toward the object side within the sixth lensgroup at the wide angle end, and D56t is the distance along the opticalaxis from the apex of the surface most toward the image side within thefifth lens group to the apex of the surface most toward the object sidewithin the sixth lens group at the telephoto end.

In addition, it is preferable for the sixth lens group G6 to consist ofa positive 6A lens L6A. If the number of lenses within the sixth lensgroup G6 increases and the thickness thereof increases, it will becomenecessary to increase the negative refractive power of the second lensgroup G2 or the fifth lens group G5. This will result in an increase influctuations of spherical aberration. Therefore, constituting the sixthlens group G6 by a single lens in this manner is advantageous from theviewpoint of suppressing fluctuations in spherical aberration.

Next, a zoom lens of a second embodiment will be described. The zoomlens of the second embodiment corresponds to Examples 1 through 6 to bedescribed later. The zoom lens of the second embodiment is constitutedby, in order from the object side to the image side: a first lens groupG1 having a positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having anegative refractive power, a third lens group G3 having a positiverefractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having a positive refractivepower, a fifth lens group G5 having a negative refractive power, and asixth lens group G6 having a positive refractive power. This zoom lensis configured such that the first lens group G1 constantly moves towardthe object side, the distance between the first lens group G1 and thesecond lens group G2 constantly increases, the distance between thesecond lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 constantly decreases,the distance between the third lens group G3 and the fourth lens groupG4 constantly changes, the distance between the fourth lens group G4 andthe fifth lens G5 group constantly changes, and the distance between thefifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens group G6 constantly changes, whenchanging magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end. Thefirst lens group G1 is constituted by, in order from the object side tothe image side, a negative 1A lens L1A, a positive 1B lens L1B, and apositive 1C lens L1C. In addition, the zoom lens is configured such thatConditional Formula (1-2) below is satisfied. Note that the operativeeffects of each constituent element and Conditional Formula (1-2) arethe same as those described above for the zoom lens of the firstembodiment. Performance equivalent to that of the zoom lens of the firstembodiment can be exhibited by this configuration as well.

39<νd ₁ A<45  (1-2)

In the case that the present zoom lens is to be utilized in anenvironment in which the zoom lens is likely to be damaged, it ispreferable for a protective multiple layer film coating to beadministered. Further, a reflection preventing coating may beadministered in order to reduce the amount of ghost light during use, inaddition to the protective coating.

In addition, FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the optical memberPP is provided between the lens system and the imaging surface Sim.Alternatively, various filters such as low pass filters and filters thatcut off specific wavelength bands may be provided among each of thelenses instead of being provided between the lens system and the imagingsurface Sim. As a further alternative, coatings that have the samefunctions as the various filters may be administered on the surfaces ofthe lenses.

Next, examples of numerical values of the zoom lens of the presentdisclosure will be described.

First, the zoom lens of Example 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is acollection of sectional diagrams that illustrate the lens configurationof the zoom lens of Example 1. Note that in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2 through 8that correspond to Examples 2 through 8 to be described later, the leftside is the object side, the right side is the image side, and theaperture stops St in the drawings do not necessarily represent the sizeor the shape thereof, but the position thereof along the optical axis Z.

In the zoom lens of Example 1, the first lens group G1 is constituted bythree lenses, which are lenses L1A through L1C, the second lens group G2is constituted by five lenses, which are lenses L2A through L2E, thethird lens group G3 is constituted by five lenses, which are lenses L3Athrough L3E, the fourth lens group G4 is constituted by four lenses,which are lenses L4A through L4D, the fifth lens group G5 is constitutedby three lenses, which are lenses L5A through LSC, and the sixth lensgroup G6 is constituted by one lens, which is a lens L6A.

The second lens group G2 is constituted by, in order from the objectside to the image side, a 2F lens group G2F and a 2R lens group G2R. The2F lens group G2F is constituted by a cemented lens, formed by cementinga positive lens L2A and a negative lens L2B, provided in this order fromthe object side to the image side, together. The 2R lens group G2R isconstituted by, in order from the object side to the image side, acemented lens, formed by cementing a negative lens L2C and a positivelens L2D together, and a negative single lens L2E.

Basic lens data are shown in Table 1, data related to various items areshown in Table 2, and data related to the distances among movablesurfaces are shown in Table 3, for the zoom lens of Example 1. In thefollowing description, the meanings of the symbols in the tables will bedescribed for Example 1. The meanings of the symbols are basically thesame for Examples 2 through 8.

In the lens data of Table 1, surface numbers that sequentially increasefrom the object side to the image side, with the surface of theconstituent element at the most object side designated as first, areshown in the column “Surface Number”. The radii of curvature of ithsurfaces are shown in the column of “Radius of Curvature”, the distancesalong the optical axis Z between each surface and a next surface areshown in the column “Distance”. The refractive indices of each opticalelement with respect to the d line (wavelength: 587.6 nm) are shown inthe column nd. The Abbe's numbers of each optical element with respectto the d line (wavelength: 587.6 nm) are shown in the column νd. Thepartial dispersion ratio of each optical element is shown in the column“θgF”.

Note that the partial dispersion ratio θgF is represented by the formulabelow.

θgF=(ng−nF)/(nF−nC)

wherein ng is the refractive index with respect to the g line, nF is therefractive index with respect to the F line, and nC is the refractiveindex with respect to the C line.

Here, the signs of the radii of curvature are positive in cases that thesurface shape is convex toward the object side, and negative in casesthat the surface shape is convex toward the image side. The aperturestop St and the optical member PP are also included in the basic lensdata. Text reading “(aperture stop)” is indicated along with a surfacenumber in the column of the surface numbers at the surface correspondingto the aperture stop. In addition, DD [surface number] is indicated inthe column “Distance” for distances that change while changingmagnification. The numerical values corresponding to DD [surface number]are shown in Table 3.

Table 2 shows the values of the zoom magnification rates of the entiresystem, the focal lengths “f”, the F numbers “F No.”, and the fullangles of view “2ω” at the wide angle end, at an intermediate position,and at the telephoto end, respectively, as the data related to variousitems.

In the basic lens data, the data related to various items, and the datarelated to the distances among movable surfaces, mm are used as theunits for lengths and degrees are used as the units for angles. However,it is possible for optical systems to be proportionately enlarged orproportionately reduced and utilized. Therefore, other appropriate unitsmay be used.

TABLE 1 Example 1: Lens Data Surface Radius of Number Curvature Distancend νd θgF  1 269.48203 2.220 1.83481 42.72 0.56486  2 107.65000 8.4501.49700 81.54 0.53748  3 −666.67333 0.150  4 96.62397 7.950 1.4387594.66 0.53402  5 ∞ DD [5]   6 −208.69230 3.690 1.60562 43.71 0.57214  7−38.62300 1.000 1.75500 52.32 0.54765  8 −78.91650 2.300  9 −167.213351.010 1.59522 67.73 0.54426 10 25.00500 3.090 1.78470 26.29 0.61360 1144.82826 2.870 12 −69.05525 1.000 1.81600 46.62 0.55682 13 193.37055 DD[13] 14 71.43178 5.720 1.58913 61.13 0.54067 15 −44.45211 0.150 1639.58695 6.530 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 17 −33.11400 1.000 1.90043 37.370.57720 18 139.34617 0.180 19 28.83700 6.700 1.58267 46.42 0.56716 20−28.83700 1.000 1.51742 52.43 0.55649 21 21.27628 2.780 22 (stop) ∞ DD[22] 23 49.78064 4.670 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 24 −56.44194 0.330 25−40.48697 1.000 1.83481 42.72 0.56486 26 −448.89591 0.170 27 40.522721.010 1.69700 48.52 0.55889 28 20.75000 4.300 1.51742 52.43 0.55649 29−43.73001 DD [29] 30 92.44720 1.000 1.61800 63.33 0.54414 31 16.394212.630 32 ∞ 1.010 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 33 14.90900 4.450 1.69350 53.200.54731 34 53.22030 DD [34] 35 −249.66626 2.910 1.54072 47.23 0.56511 36−49.77001 DD [36] 37 ∞ 2.150 1.54763 54.99 0.55229 38 ∞ 0.700 1.4978454.95 0.54959 39 ∞ 1.000

TABLE 2 Example 1: Items (d line) Wide Angle Intermediate Telephoto ZoomRatio 1.0 1.7 3.8 f 102.873 178.159 387.872 FNo. 4.62 4.79 5.78 2ω (°)15.6 9.0 4.2

TABLE 3 Example 1: Distances Among Movable Surfaces Wide AngleIntermediate Telephoto DD [5] 47.912 84.375 109.566 DD [13] 28.89319.144 1.765 DD [22] 11.359 7.991 24.280 DD [29] 7.202 7.574 2.343 DD[34] 5.165 17.208 27.898 DD [36] 36.048 28.853 29.788

FIG. 9 is a collection of diagrams that illustrate various aberrationsof the zoom lens of Example 1. The spherical aberration, theastigmatism, the distortion, and the lateral chromatic aberration of thezoom lens of Example 1 at the wide angle end are illustrated in thisorder from the left side of the drawing sheet at the upper portion ofFIG. 5. The spherical aberration, the astigmatism, the distortion, andthe lateral chromatic aberration of the zoom lens of Example 1 at anintermediate focal distance are illustrated in this order from the leftside of the drawing sheet at the middle portion of FIG. 5. The sphericalaberration, the astigmatism, the distortion, and the lateral chromaticaberration of the zoom lens of Example 1 at the telephoto end areillustrated in this order from the left side of the drawing sheet at thelower portion of FIG. 5. Each of the aberration diagrams showaberrations using the d line (wavelength: 587.6 nm) as a referencewavelength. The diagrams that illustrate spherical aberration showaberrations related to the d line (wavelength: 587.6 nm), aberrationsrelated to the C line (wavelength: 656.3 nm), aberrations related to theF line (wavelength: 486.1 nm), and aberrations related to the g line(wavelength: 435.8 nm) as solid lines, long broken lines, short brokenlines, and solid gray lines, respectively. In the diagrams thatillustrate astigmatism, aberrations in the sagittal direction andaberrations in the tangential direction are indicated by solid lines andshort broken lines, respectively. In the diagrams that illustratelateral chromatic aberration, aberrations related to the C line(wavelength: 656.3 nm), aberrations related to the F line (wavelength:486.1 nm), and aberrations related to the g line (wavelength: 435.8 nm)are shown as long broken lines, short broken lines, and solid graylines, respectively. Note that these vertical aberrations are all for astate focused on an object at infinity. In the diagrams that illustratespherical aberrations, “F No.” denotes F values. In the other aberrationdiagrams, “ω” denotes half angles of view.

The symbols, the meanings, and the manner in which the data are shown inthe description of Example 1 above are the same for the followingExamples to be described later, unless particularly noted. Therefore,redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

Next, a zoom lens according to Example 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is acollection of sectional diagrams that illustrate the lens configurationof the zoom lens of Example 2. The number of lenses in each lens groupwithin the zoom lens of Example 2 is the same as those for Example 1.Basic lens data are shown in Table 4, data related to various items areshown in Table 5, data related to the distances among movable surfacesare shown in Table 6, and various aberrations are illustrated in FIG. 10for the zoom lens of Example 2.

TABLE 4 Example 2: Lens Data Surface Radius of Number Curvature Distancend νd θgF  1 258.99426 2.220 1.83481 42.72 0.56486  2 105.99457 8.3701.49700 81.54 0.53748  3 −813.40013 0.150  4 96.96234 8.250 1.4387594.66 0.53402  5 −12541.90626 DD [5]   6 −228.16128 3.720 1.60562 43.710.57214  7 −38.90795 1.000 1.75500 52.32 0.54765  8 −80.70102 2.300  9−168.51961 1.010 1.59522 67.73 0.54426 10 24.91505 3.114 1.78470 26.290.61360 11 44.46548 2.958 12 −68.97092 1.000 1.81600 46.62 0.55682 13198.22555 DD [13] 14 70.13675 5.340 1.58913 61.13 0.54067 15 −44.504510.150 16 38.68170 6.653 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 17 −33.05588 1.000 1.9004337.37 0.57720 18 138.23933 0.668 19 29.56207 6.760 1.58267 46.42 0.5671620 −27.52545 1.000 1.51742 52.43 0.55649 21 21.28674 2.738 22 (stop) ∞DD [22] 23 51.18087 3.962 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 24 −58.76135 0.287 25−41.01946 1.000 1.83481 42.72 0.56486 26 −442.07391 0.150 27 40.217471.010 1.69700 48.52 0.55889 28 20.72664 4.266 1.51742 52.43 0.55649 29−43.41757 DD [29] 30 117.47452 1.000 1.61800 63.33 0.54414 31 16.997482.597 32 274.37374 1.010 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 33 15.00523 4.204 1.6935053.20 0.54731 34 46.29321 DD [34] 35 −252.89772 3.324 1.54072 47.230.56511 36 −48.70676 DD [36] 37 ∞ 2.150 1.54763 54.99 0.55229 38 ∞ 0.7001.49784 54.95 0.54959 39 ∞ 1.000

TABLE 5 Example 2: Items (d line) Wide Angle Intermediate Telephoto ZoomRatio 1.0 1.7 3.8 f 102.898 178.202 387.966 FNo. 4.62 4.82 5.78 2ω (°)15.6 9.0 4.2

TABLE 6 Example 2: Distances Among Movable Surfaces Wide AngleIntermediate Telephoto DD [5] 47.985 84.100 110.054 DD [13] 29.20919.050 1.658 DD [22] 11.087 7.995 23.693 DD [29] 7.254 7.894 2.707 DD[34] 5.281 16.955 27.046 DD [36] 35.935 29.107 30.587

Next, a zoom lens according to Example 3 will be described. FIG. 3 is acollection of sectional diagrams that illustrate the lens configurationof the zoom lens of Example 3. The number of lenses in each lens groupwithin the zoom lens of Example 3 is the same as those for Example 1.Basic lens data are shown in Table 7, data related to various items areshown in Table 8, data related to the distances among movable surfacesare shown in Table 9, and various aberrations are illustrated in FIG. 11for the zoom lens of Example 3.

TABLE 7 Example 3: Lens Data Surface Radius of Number Curvature Distancend νd θgF  1 262.40932 2.220 1.83481 42.72 0.56486  2 105.54031 8.3841.49700 81.54 0.53748  3 −733.03668 0.150  4 95.96727 7.808 1.4338795.18 0.53733  5 −15644.45936 DD [5]   6 −228.28533 3.522 1.58267 46.420.56716  7 −38.72547 0.900 1.69680 55.53 0.54341  8 −85.18699 2.301  9−172.24235 0.910 1.59522 67.73 0.54426 10 23.88538 3.576 1.78470 26.290.61360 11 46.63101 2.720 12 −78.62778 0.900 1.83481 42.72 0.56486 13120.57303 DD [13] 14 62.51644 5.042 1.60311 60.64 0.54148 15 −44.958790.150 16 37.70765 6.383 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 17 −32.17618 0.800 1.9004337.37 0.57720 18 122.86192 1.690 19 28.87948 6.260 1.58267 46.42 0.5671620 −26.63471 0.800 1.51742 52.43 0.55649 21 20.72606 2.745 22 (stop) ∞DD [22] 23 50.07194 2.519 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 24 −74.92532 0.437 25−40.58758 0.700 1.72000 41.98 0.57299 26 −885.62981 0.174 27 38.599550.710 1.72000 43.69 0.56995 28 20.36324 4.380 1.51742 52.43 0.55649 29−42.13900 DD [29] 30 133.32611 0.700 1.61800 63.33 0.54414 31 17.237142.422 32 207.21027 0.710 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 33 14.95626 3.161 1.6970048.52 0.55889 34 49.34035 DD [34] 35 −251.94791 2.500 1.51742 52.430.55649 36 −51.99972 DD [36] 37 ∞ 2.150 1.54763 54.99 0.55229 38 ∞ 0.7001.49784 54.95 0.54959 39 ∞ 1.000

TABLE 8 Example 3: Items (d line) Wide Angle Intermediate Telephoto ZoomRatio 1.0 1.7 3.8 f 102.890 178.188 387.935 FNo. 4.62 4.72 5.78 2ω (°)15.6 9.0 4.2

TABLE 9 Example 3: Distances Among Movable Surfaces Wide AngleIntermediate Telephoto DD [5] 48.275 84.574 110.603 DD [13] 28.06116.145 1.643 DD [22] 11.932 7.999 24.129 DD [29] 6.601 8.569 2.281 DD[34] 5.219 15.525 30.943 DD [36] 38.604 30.180 28.730

Next, a zoom lens according to Example 4 will be described. FIG. 4 is acollection of sectional diagrams that illustrate the lens configurationof the zoom lens of Example 4. The number of lenses in each lens groupwithin the zoom lens of Example 4 is the same as those for Example 1.Basic lens data are shown in Table 10, data related to various items areshown in Table 11, data related to the distances among movable surfacesare shown in Table 12, and various aberrations are illustrated in FIG.12 for the zoom lens of Example 4.

TABLE 10 Example 4: Lens Data Surface Radius of Number CurvatureDistance nd νd θgF 1 261.69144 2.220 1.83481 42.72 0.56486 2 107.038809.000 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 3 −1029.68373 0.150 4 97.17921 8.700 1.4387594.94 0.53433 5 −32440.75797 DD [5]  6 −405.23012 3.939 1.59551 39.240.58043 7 −46.61633 1.000 1.72916 54.68 0.54451 8 −99.92995 2.800 9−613.56320 1.010 1.59522 67.73 0.54426 10 29.81511 3.000 1.84666 23.780.62054 11 46.91136 3.549 12 −71.42841 1.000 1.83481 42.72 0.56486 13173.10115 DD [13] 14 81.36754 5.121 1.64000 60.08 0.53704 15 −58.058550.150 16 35.63695 7.010 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 17 −44.63558 1.000 1.9108235.25 0.58224 18 146.58133 2.000 19 43.19398 7.010 1.63980 34.47 0.5923320 −24.82487 1.000 1.59551 39.24 0.58043 21 25.47397 2.681 22 (stop) ∞DD [22] 23 53.92651 5.000 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 24 −78.38535 0.803 25−33.76811 1.000 1.60562 43.71 0.57214 26 −100.32701 1.500 27 43.039991.010 1.80100 34.97 0.58642 28 22.43546 5.000 1.51742 52.43 0.55649 29−39.11154 DD [29] 30 117.68560 1.000 1.61800 63.33 0.54414 31 17.302642.500 32 −156.38439 1.010 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 33 15.76729 4.2761.66672 48.32 0.56101 34 104.68410 DD [34] 35 660.95421 3.000 1.5174252.43 0.55649 36 −79.06941 DD [36] 37 ∞ 2.150 1.54763 54.99 0.55229 38 ∞0.700 1.49784 54.95 0.54959 39 ∞ 1.000

TABLE 11 Example 4: Items (d line) Wide Angle Intermediate TelephotoZoom Ratio 1.0 1.7 3.8 f′ 102.916 178.233 388.034 FNo. 4.12 4.15 5.77 2ω(°) 15.6 9.0 4.2

TABLE 12 Example 4: Distances Among Movable Surfaces Wide AngleIntermediate Telephoto DD [5] 47.161 87.165 104.964 DD [13] 32.18721.866 1.653 DD [22] 10.237 11.976 38.739 DD [29] 7.014 5.989 2.291 DD[34] 4.801 11.403 26.526 DD [36] 34.730 29.228 30.955

Next, a zoom lens according to Example 5 will be described. FIG. 5 is acollection of sectional diagrams that illustrate the lens configurationof the zoom lens of Example 5. The number of lenses in each lens groupwithin the zoom lens of Example 5 is the same as those for Example 1.Basic lens data are shown in Table 13, data related to various items areshown in Table 14, data related to the distances among movable surfacesare shown in Table 15, and various aberrations are illustrated in FIG.13 for the zoom lens of Example 5.

TABLE 13 Example 5: Lens Data Surface Radius of Number CurvatureDistance nd νd θgF 1 246.81462 2.220 1.83481 42.72 0.56486 2 107.737838.041 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 3 −1178.90109 0.150 4 100.44029 7.5881.43875 94.94 0.53433 5 8727.25727 DD [5]  6 3024.98867 3.778 1.6228057.05 0.54640 7 −45.65466 1.000 1.71299 53.87 0.54587 8 −116.96443 2.3009 −238.80952 1.010 1.72916 54.68 0.54451 10 23.51336 3.723 1.78472 25.680.61621 11 55.94830 2.570 12 −68.95561 1.000 1.81600 46.62 0.55682 13274.76383 DD [13] 14 81.51290 4.680 1.69680 55.53 0.54341 15 −51.957890.150 16 37.45190 6.447 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 17 −35.34266 1.000 1.9004337.37 0.57720 18 95.27503 2.000 19 30.80965 6.418 1.65412 39.68 0.5737820 −29.75104 1.000 1.56732 42.82 0.57309 21 21.59194 2.620 22 (stop) ∞DD [22] 23 43.75714 4.404 1.53775 74.70 0.53936 24 −56.69385 0.264 25−40.80586 1.000 1.83400 37.16 0.57759 26 1196.79400 0.150 27 46.193051.010 1.69680 55.53 0.54341 28 21.65972 4.255 1.51742 52.43 0.55649 29−39.14434 DD [29] 30 168.89036 1.000 1.61800 63.33 0.54414 31 18.062371.718 32 74.24649 1.010 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 33 14.51063 3.101 1.6970048.52 0.55889 34 31.80102 DD [34] 35 −250.02232 3.000 1.58144 40.750.57757 36 −49.91039 DD [36] 37 ∞ 2.150 1.54763 54.99 0.55229 38 ∞ 0.7001.49784 54.95 0.54959 39 ∞ 1.000

TABLE 14 Example 5: Items (d line) Wide Angle Intermediate TelephotoZoom Ratio 1.0 1.7 3.8 f′ 102.913 178.227 388.020 FNo. 4.62 4.62 5.78 2ω(°) 15.4 8.8 4.2

TABLE 15 Example 5: Distances Among Movable Surfaces Wide AngleIntermediate Telephoto DD [5] 49.840 89.688 115.040 DD [13] 30.47818.097 1.637 DD [22] 9.119 8.194 22.721 DD [29] 7.515 8.383 2.292 DD[34] 5.566 11.100 28.523 DD [36] 35.737 30.040 29.656

Next, a zoom lens according to Example 6 will be described. FIG. 6 is acollection of sectional diagrams that illustrate the lens configurationof the zoom lens of Example 6. The number of lenses in each lens groupwithin the zoom lens of Example 6 is the same as those for Example 1.Basic lens data are shown in Table 16, data related to various items areshown in Table 17, data related to the distances among movable surfacesare shown in Table 18, and various aberrations are illustrated in FIG.14 for the zoom lens of Example 6.

TABLE 16 Example 6: Lens Data Surface Radius of Number CurvatureDistance nd νd θgF 1 245.80950 2.220 1.83481 42.72 0.56486 2 107.218768.092 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 3 −1141.17154 0.100 4 100.21881 7.6541.43875 94.94 0.53433 5 33201.75554 DD [5]  6 −1239.59270 3.888 1.6516058.55 0.54267 7 −41.76492 1.000 1.72916 54.68 0.54451 8 −115.23571 2.4259 −199.35565 1.010 1.72916 54.68 0.54451 10 23.60406 3.677 1.80518 25.420.61616 11 54.68729 2.600 12 −69.50409 1.000 1.78800 47.37 0.55598 13258.80679 DD [13] 14 85.79751 4.693 1.69680 55.53 0.54341 15 −51.098390.100 16 38.11402 6.458 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 17 −36.18138 1.000 1.9004337.37 0.57720 18 103.37686 2.000 19 29.99892 6.510 1.65412 39.68 0.5737820 −31.15673 1.000 1.57501 41.50 0.57672 21 21.50234 3.015 22 (stop) ∞DD [22] 23 50.39261 3.623 1.59522 67.73 0.54426 24 −62.84452 0.576 25−39.96783 1.000 1.83400 37.16 0.57759 26 415.94560 0.100 27 41.918541.010 1.67790 55.34 0.54726 28 20.11580 4.530 1.51742 52.43 0.55649 29−37.22510 DD [29] 30 175.42627 1.000 1.61800 63.33 0.54414 31 18.818961.473 32 75.02252 1.010 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 33 13.84323 3.383 1.6177249.81 0.56035 34 34.75715 DD [34] 35 −250.01927 3.000 1.58144 40.750.57757 36 −50.02712 DD [36] 37 ∞ 2.150 1.54763 54.99 0.55229 38 ∞ 0.7001.49784 54.95 0.54959 39 ∞ 1.000

TABLE 17 Example 6: Items (d line) Wide Angle Intermediate TelephotoZoom Ratio 1.0 1.7 3.8 f′ 102.923 178.245 388.060 FNo. 4.62 4.62 5.78 2ω(°) 15.4 8.8 4.2

TABLE 18 Example 6: Distances Among Movable Surfaces Wide AngleIntermediate Telephoto DD [5] 49.385 88.916 113.805 DD [13] 29.80817.927 1.644 DD [22] 9.485 8.115 22.489 DD [29] 7.405 8.241 2.295 DD[34] 5.476 11.478 28.535 DD [36] 35.816 30.022 29.729

Next, a zoom lens according to Example 7 will be described. FIG. 7 is acollection of sectional diagrams that illustrate the lens configurationof the zoom lens of Example 7. The number of lenses in each lens groupwithin the zoom lens of Example 7 is the same as those for Example 1,except that a third lens group G3 is constituted by six lenses, whichare lenses L3A through L3F, and a fourth lens group G4 is constituted bythree lenses, which are lenses L4A through L4C. Basic lens data areshown in Table 19, data related to various items are shown in Table 20,data related to the distances among movable surfaces are shown in Table21, and various aberrations are illustrated in FIG. 15 for the zoom lensof Example 7.

TABLE 19 Example 7: Lens Data Surface Radius of Number CurvatureDistance nd νd θgF 1 205.08632 2.220 1.81600 46.62 0.55682 2 93.670798.130 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 3 2342.19599 0.100 4 98.54896 7.622 1.4970081.54 0.53748 5 3673.27806 DD [5]  6 −289.23356 4.022 1.74000 28.300.60790 7 −36.10761 1.000 1.80000 29.84 0.60178 8 −110.09634 0.800 9645.89060 1.010 1.81600 46.62 0.55682 10 29.78983 2.851 1.84666 23.780.62054 11 54.70693 2.724 12 −68.62504 1.000 1.78800 47.37 0.55598 13182.50252 DD [13] 14 99.12755 4.088 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 15 −62.623950.100 16 54.04337 3.841 1.68893 31.07 0.60041 17 −167.10465 0.100 1831.95590 5.235 1.43875 94.94 0.53433 19 −71.94599 1.000 2.00069 25.460.61364 20 35.97289 0.250 21 21.83290 6.010 1.72342 37.95 0.58370 22−1067.02913 1.000 1.60738 56.82 0.54840 23 18.31437 2.848 24 (stop) ∞ DD[24] 25 35.66698 5.000 1.51742 52.43 0.55649 26 138.42208 1.000 27102.65914 5.008 1.51742 52.43 0.55649 28 −22.15929 1.000 1.74400 44.790.56560 29 −43.98564 DD [29] 30 249.15741 1.000 1.72916 54.68 0.54451 3118.44686 1.340 32 51.46462 1.010 1.65160 58.55 0.54267 33 13.37706 3.3231.83481 42.72 0.56486 34 30.11090 DD [34] 35 −186.41513 3.668 1.6034238.03 0.58356 36 −37.12873 DD [36] 37 ∞ 2.150 1.54763 54.99 0.55229 38 ∞0.700 1.49784 54.95 0.54959 39 ∞ 1.000

TABLE 20 Example 7: Items (d line) Wide Angle Intermediate TelephotoZoom Ratio 1.0 1.5 2.7 f′ 144.132 217.169 388.166 FNo. 4.62 5.01 5.79 2ω(°) 10.8 7.4 4.0

TABLE 21 Example 7: Distances Among Movable Surfaces Wide AngleIntermediate Telephoto DD [5] 69.227 91.984 109.320 DD [13] 17.78415.481 1.451 DD [24] 6.777 6.731 28.472 DD [29] 10.181 6.252 1.493 DD[34] 4.767 20.380 21.512 DD [36] 30.154 28.407 30.673

Next, a zoom lens according to Example 8 will be described. FIG. 8 is acollection of sectional diagrams that illustrate the lens configurationof the zoom lens of Example 8. The number of lenses in each lens groupwithin the zoom lens of Example 8 is the same as those for Example 7.Basic lens data are shown in Table 22, data related to various items areshown in Table 23 data related to the distances among movable surfacesare shown in Table 24, and various aberrations are illustrated in FIG.16 for the zoom lens of Example 8.

TABLE 22 Example 8: Lens Data Surface Radius of Number CurvatureDistance nd νd θgF 1 212.35539 2.220 1.81600 46.62 0.55682 2 95.180818.438 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 3 −5352.69979 0.100 4 97.19575 7.794 1.4970081.54 0.53748 5 3569.72565 DD [5]  6 −1035.11505 3.647 1.73800 32.260.58995 7 −43.87339 1.000 1.80100 34.97 0.58642 8 −192.33037 1.000 9−798.53909 1.010 1.72916 54.68 0.54451 10 25.08611 3.212 1.80518 25.420.61616 11 47.70304 2.731 12 −77.43380 1.000 1.91082 35.25 0.58224 13406.69358 DD [13] 14 95.54044 4.039 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 15 −60.885280.100 16 54.73332 3.551 1.58144 40.75 0.57757 17 −222.60779 0.100 1829.15355 5.233 1.49700 81.54 0.53748 19 −84.20866 1.000 1.91650 31.600.59117 20 31.50556 0.250 21 22.36049 5.250 1.71700 47.93 0.56062 22−70.12504 1.000 1.65160 58.55 0.54267 23 19.36813 2.705 24 (stop) ∞ DD[24] 25 35.91871 2.799 1.51742 52.43 0.55649 26 156.71491 1.000 2786.24955 3.482 1.51742 52.43 0.55649 28 −29.49271 1.000 1.61405 54.990.55092 29 −110.87437 DD [29] 30 228.50744 1.000 1.75500 52.32 0.5476531 21.26842 2.600 32 64.84575 1.010 1.61800 63.33 0.54414 33 16.329793.042 1.80400 46.58 0.55730 34 34.04170 DD [34] 35 423.63050 4.5531.78800 47.37 0.55598 36 −54.10936 DD [36] 37 ∞ 2.150 1.54763 54.990.55229 38 ∞ 0.700 1.49784 54.95 0.54959 39 ∞ 1.000

TABLE 23 Example 8: Items (d line) Wide Angle Intermediate TelephotoZoom Ratio 1.0 1.5 2.7 f′ 144.115 217.143 388.119 FNo. 4.57 5.08 5.79 2ω(°) 11.0 7.4 4.2

TABLE 24 Example 8: Distances Among Movable Surfaces Wide AngleIntermediate Telephoto DD [5] 67.325 86.464 104.178 DD [13] 16.78913.866 1.475 DD [24] 7.697 3.807 27.092 DD [29] 12.949 8.729 1.496 DD[34] 7.996 30.300 36.010 DD [36] 28.165 28.165 28.165

Table 25 shows values corresponding to Conditional Formulae (1) through(7) for the zoom lenses of Examples 1 through 8. Note that all of theExamples use the d line as a reference wavelength, and the values shownin Table 25 are those with respect to the reference wavelength.

TABLE 25 Formula Condition Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4Example 5 Example 6 Example 7 Example 8 (1) νd1A 42.7 42.7 42.7 42.742.7 42.7 46.6 46.6 (2) νd3ave 63.0 63.0 62.9 58.7 58.9 58.9 61.4 62.9(3) f3A/f3 0.961 0.962 0.929 0.947 0.901 0.928 1.587 1.530 (4) f3/fC3A−0.250 −0.234 −0.264 −0.029 −0.328 −0.286 −0.983 −0.730 (5) f3/f1 0.2580.254 0.247 0.285 0.255 0.253 0.258 0.273 (6) X3/X1 0.415 0.415 0.3980.605 0.410 0.407 0.560 0.625 (7) D56w/D56t 0.185 0.195 0.169 0.1810.195 0.192 0.222 0.222

Based on the data above, it can be understood that all of the zoomlenses of Examples 1 through 8 satisfy Conditional Formulae (1) through(7), and that these zoom lenses are those in which various aberrationsare favorably corrected.

Next, an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18. FIG.17 and FIG. 18 respectively are perspective views of the front and therear of a camera 30. The camera 30 is a non reflex (so calledmirrorless) digital camera, onto which an exchangeable lens 20 isinterchangeably mounted. The exchangeable lens 20 is a zoom lens 1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure housed in a lensbarrel.

The camera 30 is equipped with a camera body 31. A shutter releasebutton 32 and a power button 33 are provided on the upper surface of thecamera body 31. Operating sections 34 and 35 and a display section 36are provided on the rear surface of the camera body 31. The displaysection 36 displays images which have been photographed and imageswithin the angle of view prior to photography.

A photography opening, in to which light from targets of photographyenters, is provided at the central portion of the front surface of thecamera body 31. A mount 37 is provided at a position corresponding tothe photography opening. The exchangeable lens 20 is mounted onto thecamera body 31 via the mount 37.

An imaging element (not shown), such as a CCD that receives images ofsubjects formed by the exchangeable lens 20 and outputs image signalscorresponding to the images, a signal processing circuit (not shown)that processes the image signals output by the imaging element togenerate images, and a recording medium (not shown) for recording thegenerated images, are provided within the camera body 31. In this camera30, photography of a still image corresponding to a single frame orvideo imaging is enabled by pressing the shutter release button 32.Image data obtained by photography or video imaging are recorded in therecording medium.

The camera 30 of the present embodiment is equipped with the zoom lens 1of the present disclosure. Therefore, the camera 30 is capable ofobtaining images having high image quality.

The present disclosure has been described with reference to theembodiments and Examples thereof. However, the zoom lens of the presentdisclosure is not limited to the embodiments and Examples describedabove, and various modifications are possible. For example, the valuesof the radii of curvature of each lens, the distances among surfaces,the refractive indices, and the Abbe's numbers are not limited to thoseshown in the Examples above, and may be other values.

In addition, a non reflex digital camera was described as the embodimentof the imaging apparatus. However, the present disclosure is not limitedto this application, and may be applied to other imaging apparatuses,such as a video camera, digital cameras other than those of the nonreflex type, a cinematic camera, and a broadcast camera.

What is claimed is:
 1. A zoom lens comprising only the following sixlens groups with refractive power, in order from an object side to animage side: a first lens group having a positive refractive power; asecond lens group having a negative refractive power; a third lens grouphaving a positive refractive power; a fourth lens group having apositive refractive power; a fifth lens group having a negativerefractive power; and a sixth lens group having a positive refractivepower; the first lens group moving toward the object side, a distancebetween the first lens group and the second lens group increasing, adistance between the second lens group and the third lens groupdecreasing, a distance between the third lens group and the fourth lensgroup changing, a distance between the fourth lens group and the fifthlens group changing, and a distance between the fifth lens group and thesixth lens group changing, when changing magnification from a wide angleend to a telephoto end; further comprising a stop positioned adjacent tothe third lens group toward the image side thereof; the stop movesintegrally with the third lens group when changing magnification; andConditional Formula (6) below is satisfied:0.3<X3/X1<0.8  (6) wherein X3 is an amount of displacement of the thirdlens group when changing magnification from the wide angle end to thetelephoto end, and X1 is an amount of displacement of the first lensgroup when changing magnification from the wide angle end to thetelephoto end.
 2. The zoom lens as defined in claim 1, in whichConditional Formula (5) below is satisfied:0.17<f3/f1<0.35  (5) wherein f3 is the paraxial focal length withrespect to a d line of the third lens group, and f1 is the paraxialfocal length with respect to a d line of the first lens group.
 3. Thezoom lens as defined in claim 1, wherein: the third lens group has aplurality of positive lenses; and Conditional Formula (2) below issatisfied:50<νd3ave<70  (2) wherein νd3ave is an average Abbe's number withrespect to a d line of the positive lenses within the third lens group.4. The zoom lens as defined in claim 3, in which Conditional Formula(2-1) below is satisfied:55<νd3ave<65  (2-1).
 5. The zoom lens as defined in claim 1, in whichConditional Formula (6-1) below is satisfied:0.35<X3/X1<0.7  (6-1).
 6. The zoom lens as defined in claim 1, wherein:the third lens group has a cemented lens, in which a positive lens and anegative lens provided in this order from the object side to the imageside are cemented together, positioned most toward the image sidetherein.
 7. An imaging apparatus equipped with the zoom lens as definedin claim 1.